Aerial centrifugal impeller

ABSTRACT

An impeller includes a lower dome having a curved outer surface. Disposed on the curved outer surface of the lower dome is a plurality of blade. The blades are formed to define an inner curved surface and an outer curved surface, each blade having a leading edge and a terminal edge. The impeller comprises an an upper dome, the inner surface of which is mounted on the outer curved surfaces of the blades; The upper dome has an annular opening formed therethrough. The annular opening of the upper dome is coaxially positioned with an annular bore in the lower dome. The annular bore is sized for receiving a rotary shaft. A plurality of flow compartments or chambers are defined in the conjunction of the lower dome, the plurality of blades, and the upper dome. An embodiment of the impeller comprises a rotary shaft in connection between at least the annular bore of the lower dome on one end and a motor on the other.

The present invention relates to an impeller for efficient production ofthrust.

A centrifugal impeller—a device similar to a rotor quickly draws a flowof mass into a small housing. As the flow (e.g. gaseous material) isdrawn in at the hub of the impeller, centrifugal force causes it toradiate outward. The flow leaves the impeller at high speed, and highpressure.

At its most basic, a centrifugal air impeller is driven off a shaftconnected to a motor. Impellers ideally achieve a pressure rise byadding kinetic energy/velocity to a generate a continuous flow of massthrough the rotor or impeller. This kinetic energy is then converted toan increase in potential energy/static pressure.

It is the impeller's rotating set of vanes (or blades) that graduallyraises the energy of the working gas. This is identical to an axialcompressor with the exception that the gases can reach higher velocitiesand energy levels through the impeller's increasing radius. Impellersare designed in many configurations including “open” (visible blades),“covered or shrouded”, “with splitters” (every other inducer removed)and “w/o splitters” (all full blades). Most modern high efficiencyimpellers use “backsweep” in the blade shape.

Traditional rotor blade technology produces thrust by pushing the flow.In contrast, the ACI accelerates the mass of the flow via centrifugalforces. Note: As the rotor spins, centrifugal forces act on the mass ofthe flow subsequently accelerating it. This creates a vacuum drawingmore flow mass through the hub intake hole on top of the rotor outwardtoward the bottom of the device generating lift. As the flow releasesbelow the rotor, lift is enhanced.

SUMMARY

The present invention comprises an impeller. The structure of theimpeller includes a lower dome having a curved outer surface. Disposedon the curved outer surface of the lower dome is a plurality of blade.The blades are formed to define an inner curved surface and an outercurved surface, each blade having a leading edge and a terminal edge.

The impeller comprises an an upper dome, the inner surface of which ismounted on the outer curved surfaces of the blades; The upper dome hasan annular opening formed therethrough. The annular opening of the upperdome is coaxially positioned with an annular bore in the lower dome. Theannular bore is sized for receiving a rotary shaft.

A plurality of flow compartments or chambers are defined in theconjunction of the lower dome, the plurality of blades, and the upperdome.

Accordingly, an embodiment of the impeller comprises a rotary shaft inconnection between at least the annular bore of the lower dome on oneend and a motor on the other.

In an embodiment of the device, blades are not exposed. This bladelessconfiguration provides a consistent surface during rotation whicheliminates energy lost as turbulence. Significantly less energy is lostin the form of sound energy thus enabling relatively silent operation.

Objectives of General Structure and Function

The structural elements of the device generate centrifugal forces togenerate thrust. As the device spins, the inlet flow accelerates into aradially disposed set of flow compartments defined by blades which areessentially flow compartment walls. The flow compartments guide the flowtoward the exhaust vent, the exhaust flow acting as thrust generated bythe operation of the device.

As the rotor spins, centrifugal forces act on the mass of the flowsubsequently accelerating it. This creates a vacuum drawing more massthrough the intake hole on top of the rotor, accelerating the flow vis avis the flow compartments outward and toward the bottom of the devicegenerating lift. The flow released below the device enhances lift.

In one embodiment, the rotor can be constructed primarily fromlow-weight high-strength fabrics including but not limited to Kevlar™,Spectra™, Nylon, and Carbon Nano Tubes. As the rotor spins, the intakeflow mass expands the walls made of such fabric, the form and shape ofthe compartments as described herein.

The device of the invention relies primarily on centrifugal forces togenerate thrust, and not exposed blades which “chop” the air resultingin energy lost as turbulence and sound energy.

In rotor blade technology, the present invention has applications thatreplace the props on airplanes, multirotor vehicles, helicopters, andwatercraft; further uses involve replacement of traditional fan bladesfor ultra silent applications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the detailed description of thepreferred embodiments of the present invention, will be betterunderstood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For thepurpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings,which are diagrammatic, embodiments that are presently preferred. Itshould be understood, however, that the present invention is not limitedto the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In thedrawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective top lateral view of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross section view taken through line Y-Y of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom lateral view of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom lateral view of the invention illustrating the ACImounted on a portion of an impeller shaft.

FIG. 8 is a schema of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “inner”, “inwardly” and “outer”,“outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, adesignated centerline or a geometric center of an element beingdescribed, the particular meaning being readily apparent from thecontext of the description.

Referring now to the drawings and diagrams in detail, wherein likenumbers are used to indicate like elements throughout, there is shown inFIGS. 1-7 the device of the invention, i.e. an impeller for acceleratingflows of gas or liquid media.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 the impeller assembly basicallycomprises a first, main, upper dome 15 and a second lower dome 20 spacedapart and attached to upper or outer 30 and lower or inner 35 mountingsurfaces of integrally formed compartment walls (blades) 25 tosubstantially form an impeller. The dimensions of the domes comply withformulae as described below.

The Main (Upper) Dome

The main dome 15 has a central axis 40, upper and lower axial ends 45,50, a rim surface 51 of a central opening 9 which its diameter isdepicted by an imaginary line 52 at a position defined by anintersecting plane (flat disk plane) 55 through the upper surface of themain dome. Accordingly, the upper dome represents a domed surface with aplaner top 20 the position of which is defined by intersecting plane 55.

The main dome, which has upper 90 and lower 95 surfaces, includesradially-outermost portions 60. Accordingly, the dome comprises twoparts: a flat disk-shaped opening 9, which is joined to a convex surface65 with a gradual curvature and the base 70 of which has a circularboundary.

The main dome accordingly has a diameter D (FIG. 1) and a height H, asshown in FIG. 3. The diameter refers to the size of the base 70, whereasthe height refers to the perpendicular distance between the center ofthe base and the center of the planar central opening.

The Lower Dome

A lower dome 20 is positioned axially below the main, upper dome 15. Theplanes of the lower rim or base surfaces 75 of the main dome and lowerdome are approximately in the same plane. The lower dome is generallydimensioned to be positioned below the main dome and within the sizelimits of the invention. In one embodiment, the lower dome's roof 59 isformed as a disk which has roughly the dimensions of the base of aspherical cap formed from said lower dome.

Blades or Compartment Walls

A plurality of blades 25 or compartment walls 25 extend between andconnect the main dome 15 and the lower dome 20. The plurality of bladesare spaced apart circumferentially about the co-axial axis 40 of theupper and lower domes, in particular, circumferentially about the diskedroof 58 of the lower dome such that each blade extends generallyradially with respect thereto.

Each blade 25 has a planar shape of an arch, having two, opposingarch-shaped sides being inner 35 and outer 30 curves which define, inpart, the planar area of the blade. The proximal and distal boundariesof the blade are defined by a leading edge 80 and a terminal edge 85.Each blade extends generally radially between the leading edge 80 andterminal edge 85 which are respectively the radially innermost andoutermost portion of the edge surfaces.

The lower surface 95 of the main dome 15 is disposable simultaneouslygenerally against the mounting surface of the outer 30 curve S_(M) ofall of the plurality of blades, as described in further detail below.

The upper surface 105 of the inner or lower dome is disposablesimultaneously generally against the inner curve mounting surfaces 35S_(M) of all of the plurality of blades, as described in further detailbelow.

Inlets-Outlets

Each inlet or access opening 110 of a flow compartment 115 is definedbetween a separate pair of adjacent blade leading edge 80 surfaces andextends in height H_(B) between the upper 129 and lower 128 mountingpoints on the upper surface 105 of the lower dome extending in heightH_(B) to the lower surface 95 of the upper dome.

Main Inlet—Central Opening Hub 9

The outer dome has an axially oriented circumferential opening 9defining a rim 51 or inner edge circumferential surface defining adisk-shaped central opening through the roof the main dome.

The upper surface 105 of the impeller inner dome 20 forms the floor 120of each flow compartment 115. The main dome inner (lower) surface 95 isdisposable generally against the outer curves 30 of the blades so as toform the roof 125 of the flow compartments.

The inner dome includes a generally annular inner circumferential edgesurface in which is defined a central opening (collet) 130. The collettis preferably a through bore extending axially through the roof of theinner dome. At least a portion of an impeller shaft 135 is disposablewithin the inner and/or outer dome to couple the impeller with amachine.

FIGS. 1, 3 show in general that the main opening 9 is defined by anannular space formed thru the main dome.

Further, the plurality of blades extends between and integrally connectthe main and lower domes, thus forming the unitary body of the impeller.

Blades

Each blade 25 generally has a thickness commensurate with the materialof the blade and the degree of force it is expected to endure from boththe density of the flow medium and speed of operation. Blade thicknessmay vary from about 0.7 mm to about 1 inch depending on the material andoperational requirements of the device.

Each blade body has a radially-innermost portion 80 disposed between thehub portion 9 and the flow compartments 115 such that aradially-innermost section leading edge surface 80 of adjacent bladebodies are set in a plane that defines the surface area of the entrance(inlet) 82 to each flow compartment 115 in combination with the heightH_(B) of each blade extending from the blades respective attachmentpoints between the mounting surfaces of the main and lower domes.

Mass Flow

In a flow path, mass passing through the flow compartments 115 isdirected in a partly tangential direction with respect to the surfacesof the main and lower domes which form, respectively, the roof 125 andfloor 120 of each flow compartment.

Structural Dimensions of the Impeller

A variety of device embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention are defined by the schema shown in FIG. 8.

The primary intake 9 cross-sectional area of Circle with diameter of D₁is πr².

The primary area intake cross-sectional area is set to equal thesecondary intake 110 cross-sectional area (2πr) (H).

The exhaust cross-sectional area 141 is understood as πr²{D3}−πr²{D2}.

The device of the invention conforms to: Primary (Main) IntakeArea=Secondary Intake Area=Exhaust Area

πr ²=(2πr(H)=πr² {D3}−πr ² {D2}

Area of primary intake equals the area of the Circle defined byD1=Secondary Intake, that is, the product of the circumference of the D1Circle and height H_(B)=Exhaust, which is the Area of circle D3 less thearea of circle D2.

The above parameters of the device are derived as follows:

Step 1: One starts with a Circle D₁ of diameter D1

Step 2: The Circle D₁ is divided into quadrants.

Step 3: Remove half of the area of Circle D₁ denoted by a circularcircumscription positioned in the center of Circle D₁.

Step 4:

(a) One of the four sections of Circle D₁ peripheral to thecircumscription is selected.

(b) The area of the entrance to the secondary intake is set by adjustingHeight “H_(B) ” so that the surface area of the entrance to thesecondary intake equals the surface area of Circle D₁ in Step 1. Thearea of the secondary intake is calculated by multiplying thecircumference of Circle D₁ in Step 1 “H_(B)”

(c) The exhaust area “W” is set to equal area of Circle D₁ in Step 1

(d) One draws a curve from the top of H_(B) to W so that the volume ofthe compartment communicating between the secondary intake and theexhaust portal is continuously equal from intake to exhaust portal.

Step 5: The compartment's cross-sectional shape 25 resulting from Step 4is identified in FIG. 5. Compartment walls are positioned equally aroundD1.

FIGS. 3 and 5 are views of the device which illustrate the positioningof the compartment walls (blades) 25.

A plurality of walls are positioned and spaced equally spaced around thehub. A main dome is positioned atop the flow compartments, the curve ofthe inner surface of the main dome defines and conforms to the archprofiles of the compartment walls.

Ducting 140 is positioned around the circumferential base 70 of the maindome, the height of the ducting equal to W.

Operation of the Aerial Impeller

For purposes of explanation but not limitation, the operation of theaerial impeller is described in stages as follows:

In Stage 1 of the flow path, vacuum pressure generated in the deviceflow compartments during rotation draws flow first through the hub 9 ormain intake.

The surface area of the main intake must be consistent with both theplanar surface areas of the secondary intake(s) 110 collection of flowcompartments 115 and exhaust planar surface area. The surface area ofthe central opening 9 intake(s) is described with the formula πr².

In Stage 2 of the flow path, vacuum pressure generated in the deviceflow compartments during rotation draws flow secondly through the flowcompartment inlets 110.

The surface of the flow compartment inlets 110 must be consistent withboth the surface area of main intake 9 and exhaust 141 [planarcollection of exhaust surface areas].

The surface area of flow compartment inlets 110 can be calculated withthe formula 2πrH where the circumference of the main intake 9 ismultiplied by the height “H_(B)” of the compartment inlets 110.

In Stage 3 of the flow path, the rotating unit centrifugally acceleratesflow thru the flow compartments 115 as defined by a plurality of flowcompartment walls 25 located equally around the device. Flow compartmentwalls 25 in combination with lower 105 and upper surfaces 95respectively of the main and lower domes define the dimensions of eachflow compartment 115.

The purpose of the main dome and lower dome is to guide the flow as itaccelerates thru and across the compartment walls 25 toward the flowexhaust 141.

In Stage 4 of the flow cycle, the accelerated flow, generated by therotating unit exits from the flow exhaust 141 as thrust. The surfacearea (of an imaginary plane in the exhaust portal) of the exhaust 141must be congruent with both the planar surface area of main intake 9 andcompartment inlets 110. [i.e. same surface area of secondary intake andprimary intake].

The surface area of the exhaust 141 can be calculated with the formulaπr²{D3}−πr² {D2} where D3 corresponds to the surface area of animaginary circular plane located at the base of the lower dome and D2corresponds to the surface area of an imaginary circular plane locatedat the base of the bottom of hub 20, which is the roof of the lowerdome, both depicted in FIG. 2.

The direction of the flow is then enhanced by the flow exhaust ducting140. The height U of the flow exhaust ducting should be equivalent tothe distance W [i.e. W=U] between the bottom edge of the main dome 70and the hub. This ensures the flow will flow parallel to the primaryintake.

It should be evident that the ACI finds use in turbines, turbo fans,silent fans, rotor blade replacement (helicopters, single engine planes,hobby grade/size vehicles), water pumps, hybrid air/water propulsion,ceiling fans, house fans, hover crafts, vacuum cleaners, leaf blowers,bi-rotor “tail-rotorless” vertical takeoff and landing (vtol) aircraft,centrifugal impellers, Dyson® vacuum, and vacuum pumps.

The device can be effectively fabricated with a range of materialincluding light weight fabrics such as nylon, Kevlar or spectradepending on intensity of the application.

Embodiments of the device are used in applications including but notlimited to aircraft rotors, helicopter rotors, multi-copter rotors,silent fans, ceiling fans, pumps, vacuums, air conditioning units,submarine propellers, boat propellers, Jet Ski propellers, and anyapplication which requires accelerating a flow of mass.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An impeller comprising a. a lower dome having acurved outer surface wherein an annular bore is formed therethrough; b.a plurality of blades circumferentially disposed on said curved outersurface of said lower dome, wherein each of said blades has an innercurved surface, an outer curved surface, a leading edge and a terminaledge; c. an upper dome having an annular opening formed therethrough,said upper dome having an interior surface mounted on the outer curvedsurfaces of said blades; wherein a plurality of flow chambers aredefined in the conjunction of said lower dome, said plurality of blades,and said upper dome.
 2. The impeller of claim 1 further comprising ashaft positioned in at least said annular bore of said lower dome. 3.The impeller of claim 2 further comprising a motor operationallyconnected to a motor.